8 Things You Must Update before Selling Your Home

Every era has its share of questionable décor. Some of them send potential buyers and running while other will just ding the price. When you are thinking about selling your “need-to-be-updated” home, there is always the age old question of “should I update my home or should I just lower the price.” If you are looking to sell your home fast, it might be tempting to just lower the price but if you have any of the following 8 décor items, take the time to do some updating.

1.       Shag Carpeting.  Buyers do not want to see shag carpeting. Most will recoil if they see this design feature.

2.       Popcorn Ceilings. Back in the 50’s through the 80’s this was a very popular feature. It was done to reduce noise levels, but today people just see this as a mess they would have to deal with. Some of the earliest versions would have asbestos fibers, which could also be dangerous.

3.       Colorful Sinks and Toilets.  Bathtubs could also be added into this category but most tubs can be covered by a shower curtain. The toilets and sinks are front and center and is a big determent.

4.       Big Floral or Metallic Wallpaper.  Wallpaper of any kind can be problematic because it is so messy to take down and if the potential buyers do not like the wallpaper it can send them running. The big floral and metallic wallpaper are among the biggest offenders.

5.       Carpeted Bathrooms.  Carpet can retain water and grow mildew. Most buyers are looking for bathrooms that are not carpeted.

6.       Wood Paneling.  Buyers today find this décor very dark and hard to deal with. It is very difficult to remove and will in general send potential buyers running.

7.       Sliding-Plastic Door for the Shower/Tub.  Most of the time these doors are full of water and soap scum. They are impractical and make bathrooms look smaller. They are inconvenient for new parents who need to lean over the tub to give children a bath and very difficult for seniors to get in and out.

8.       Floor to Ceiling Mirrors.  This doesn’t mean a hug mirror that is hung with a frame is not a nice item to decorate the home with. This is the glued to the wall huge wall-to-wall ceiling to floor mirrors. They are just tacky and need to be changed.

Of course this list could be expanded on, but these particular décor items should be updated before putting your home on the market. What other things do you think must be updated?

Jessie Eide is a Realtor at EXIT Realty Foothills specializing in the Claremont community and helping people invest in Real Estate all along the foothills. For more information call 626.523.1822 or visit her website at www.SimplyYourRealEstate.com to have free access to the most comprehensive MLS Listing Service.